Car-door-operating mechanism.



A. TAU'RMAN- CAR DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION man OCT-22.19I4.

1,144,923. Patented June 29, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-THO. WASHINGTON. D. C

A. TAURMAN.

CAR DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION mm)- OCT. 22. 1914.

1,144,923. Patented June 29, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHET 2.

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CAR-,DOOR-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented June 29, 1915'.

Application filed October 22, 1914. Serial No. 868,043.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALPHONSO TAURMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico, State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Door-Operating liiiechanismj; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention'relates to door operating mechanism adapted especially for use in connection with the opening and closing of the doors of street railway cars.

In the present instance I have shown my invention as employed in connection with a street car of the side door entrance'type,

that is to say a car wherein a pair of sliding doors is located at each side of the car. I wish it to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited in its useful application to this particular type of street railway car, as it maybe employed in any connection wherein its use will be found advantageous. For instance, while I have herein shown and described the invention as applied to a car having a pair of sliding doors for each doorway, it will be apparent that it is equally applicable to a car having a single sliding door foreach doorway.

In carrying out my invention it is my purpose to provide a door operating mechanism through the agency of which the doors may be quickly, conveniently, positively and safely opened and closed;

Another object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism of this character which is under the direct control of the con-' ductor standing at the. conductors platform or station, and which will require but little effort on his part to operate.

Furthermore, with myinvention the doors of the car may be opened and closed simultaneously with the lowering and raising of the car step. I

Another object of the inventioniis the provision of mechanism of this character by means of which the door or doors in one side of the car maybe operated, while the door or doors on the opposite side of the car are maintained in closed and locked position and, of course, "my mechanism may be employed to maintain the doors at'both sides of the car in a closed and locked position.

Afurther object of my invention isithe falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Inthe accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing a portion of one side of a car having a pair of sliding doors, and illustrating my mechanism as applied thereto, the doors being shown in their closed position and the step folded. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the car and showing my mechanism as used in conjunction with doors located at opposite sides of the car. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is anenlarged detail view of the clutch device used in connection with the operating shaft. Fig. 5 is a detail view in end elevation showing the locking device for the clutch. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the clutch of the divided operating shaft and certain adjacent parts, the shaft and the locking bar being shown in elevation.

' Before entering into a detailed description of my invention, I will briefly state that in the present instance, I show it as employed in connection with that type of street railway car having a pair of sliding doors in each side thereof, the pairs of doors being arranged diametrically opposite in the usual manner.. The car is provided with the usual folding step for each doorway, and my invention, which is manually operable from the conductors-well or platform, is designed to open and close the doors and simultaneously lower and raise the steps. Under certain conditions it may be desired to maintain the doors at both sides of the car in their closed positions and locked, and my mechanism may be operated so that both of the doors may beso maintained in closed and locked position. Ordinarily, when in use, the mechanism is operable to open the doors atone side of the car, while the doors at theother side of the car are maintained in their closed and locked positions.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the letter A designates conventionally a street car, the sides of which are indicated by the letters'Band O, respectively. The conductors well or platform at i the center of the car is designated by the letter D, and E is a stand preferably located at the center of the wel1,-the upper portion of the stand being formed of sections of piping. At each side of the car isarranged a pair of sliding doors F and F of the usual construction, the upper edges of these doors carryingth'e ordinary rollerhangers 1 traveling on the trackways 2, so that the doors are hung to slide toward and from eachother in the usual manner. Journaled in the stand E is a small power shaft 3 'oper able by the crank handle 4, this shaft hav-,

ing fast thereon a sprocket wheel 5. This sprocket wheel 5 drives theendlesschain 6 which trains over a sprocket wheel? fast with the shiftable clutch sleeve 8 loose on the divided operating shaft S, which eX-' tends transversely of the car adjacent the roof thereof,,or above the doorways.

preferably protected by a suitable casingQ,

the'lower end of'which is provided with side plates to form a housing 10 for the sprocket 5. The operating shaftf S, as before stated, 'is in the nature of a divided shaft, the two parts of which are indicated at '11 and 12 respectively, and the adjacent ends of these shaft sections are loosely connected by the clutch sleeve 8, loosely or freely mounted, as shown in Fig. 4. The part 11 of the shaft has fast therewith a toothed clutch member 13, while the part the power shaft 3 through the chain and The outer ends of sprocket connections. the divided shaft S are journaled in bearings 15 carried by the metallic strips 01" plates 16 located at each side of the car above the doors. The ends of these plates 16 are connected as at 17 to the plates or strips 18, which practically form, continuations or extensions of the plates or'strips 16. Mounted on the divided shaft'S adjacent the outer ends thereof, are thedouble sprocket wheels 19, each of which drives a pair of oppositely extending horizontally disposed endless chains 20 and20, these chains traveling over the single sprocket wheels 21 and 22 respectively, mounted on stud shafts 23 and 24, carried by the plates'or strips 18 ad' j acent the outer ends of the latter. Each stud 65 shaft23 is provided with a small sprocket It will thus be seen that the drive chain travels in a vertical direction, and this chain is connected as at 33 to the crank arm 34fast' 'on the rock shaft 35.

This shaft carries the step 36, the step being mounted on the shaft by means of the angular bracket arms 37. This manner of connecting the step to the rock shaft 35 is, well known and forms no part of this invention. The rock shaft, of course, is mounted in suitable bearings carried by the car, these bearings being shown at 38.

The door F at eachside ofthe car is connected with the adjacent chain 20 by means of a bracket arm 39, whichis bolted as at 40- to the top of the door and attached as at 41 to the upper run of the endless chain by means of suitable pins or studs. Likewise the door F,- at each side of the car is con-' nected with the adjacent endless chain 20 by means of a bracket arm 42 bolted to the top of the door as at 43 and to the lower run of the chain 20 as at 44. It will, of course, be understood that the chains 20 and '20 when driven by the double sprocket 19, move the doors F and F in opposite directions in opening and closing the latter.

Preferably suspended from the top of the car is a frame G, the parallel arms 45 and 46 of WlliClI'ZLIQ bored at their lower ends as at 47 for the reception of the clutch members 13 and 14, these arms 45 and 46 constituting hangers or supports for the inner ends of the shaft members 11 and'12.

As will be seen by reference to Figs. 4, 6 and 7, the frame G is provided with a cross bar 48'located above the shaft S and directly over the double clutch thereof, and this bar 48 is bored as at 49 for the reception of the stud 50 at the end of the yoke lever 51, this stud 50forming a pivot point for the lever. This lever 51 is employed to shift or slide the clutch sleeve 8 and the lockingbar 52, the latter sliding through slots 53 in the side arms'45 and 46 of the frame G. This look ing bar 52 also passes through a slot 54 in the lever 51, the'bar being notched as at 52 so that it may interlock with the walls of the slot 54 as clearly shown in Fig. 7 This lockingbar 52 is also provided with an elongated central recess 55 to accommodate the sprocket wheel 7 on the sleeve 8, and is further provided with notches 56. and 57 to permit the pins 58 and 59 on the clutch sections 13 and 14'respectively to pass the locking bar, as hereinafter described. That end portion of the locking bar 52 which slides through the arm" 46 of the frame G has its upper longitudinal edge formed with a pair of spaced notches and 61, while pivoted at 62 to the arm 46 is a latch 63 terminating in an angular handle 64. This latch, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 5, is provided with a segmental slot through which projects the pin 66 carried by the arm 46 of the frame G, this slot and pin arrangement, of course, limiting the travel of the latch.

It will be understood that when the clutch sleeve 8 is in neutral or disconnected position, as shown in Fig. 4, it is out of engagement with both the clutch members 14 and 15, and consequently neither of the sections 11 and 12 of the divided shaft can be rotated through its connections with the power shaft 3, even though the handle 4befloperated. Furthermore, these shaft sections 11 and 12 cannot he accidentally rotated, forthe pins 58 and 59 on the clutch members 13 and 14 contact with the bar 52,.as clearly shown in Fig. 4. However, thelever 51 may be operated by the conductor to shift the clutch 8 and the locking bar 52 longitudinally relative to the shaft S, and in either direction, so that one section of the shaft may be placed in driven cngagementwith the power shaft 3 and be further rotated, while the other section of the shaft will beout of en gagement with the power shaft 3 and held against rotation, as hereinafter set forth.

From the above description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and manner of employing my invention will be readily understood. It may be assumed, for example, that we desire to use the doors shown at the right hand side of Fig. 2, or the side C, this pair of doors being also shown in Fig. 1. At the same time, we will assume, of course, that it is desirable to maintain the doors at the left hand side of Fig. 2 in closed and locked position to prevent the passengers leaving that side of the car. As shown in Fig. 4, when the clutch sleeve member 8 is disconnected from both the clutch members 13 and 14, or is in neutral position, the members 11 and 12 of the divided operating shaft will be disconnected from the power shaft 3, and consequently the doors at both sides of the car will remain closed and locked by the locking pins 53 and 59 which engage the sliding locking bar 52, as shown in Fig. 5.

To open the doors atthe side C, the conductor proceeds as follows: Grasping the yoke handle 51, he shifts the same to slide the sleeve clutch 8 toward and into engagement with the clutch member14, as shown in Fig. 2, therebyplacing the shaft member 12 in driven connection with the power shaft 3 through the sprocket 7, chain 6 and sprocket 5. When the handle 51 is so moved the locking bar 52 will also be shifted, so that the notch 57 in the bar will be brought into alinement with the pin 59 on the clutch member 14* to permit thepin to pass through the notch when the shaft section 12 is rotated and thus not impede the rotation of the shaft member 12. At this time the other clutch member 13 and its shaft member 11 cannot turn because the pin 28 would strike the locking plate 52.

when the latter is depressed. The conductor now depresses this latch 63 so that it inter locks with the notch 60 and holds the locking plate 52 against movement and the clutch sleeve 8 in engagement with the clutch member 14. I

Should the conductor now desire to open the doors, it is only necessary for him to swing the handle 4 thus turning-the power shaft 3 to rotate the sprocket wheel 5 and impart movement to the chain 6. The rotation of this chain will turn the shaft member 12 which is now connected with the clutch sleeve, and turningv the sprocket 19 will move the chains 20 and 20, and as, these chains are connected with the doors through the brackets 39 and 42, the doors will be moved apart or slide open. At the same time the travel of the chain 20 driving the sprocket 21 will cause motion to be imparted through the sprocket 25 to the double chain 26, and this latter driving the crank sprocket 27 will lower the lever rod 30, thus throwing the step downward and outward, or into position for use by the passenger. When it is desired to close the doors, of course, the crank handle is swung back to its original position and the reverse movement of the chain and sprocket mechanisms takes place, thereby closing the doors and elevating the step. Should it be desired to use the doors of the opposite side of the car, that is to say, the side B, the conductor simply releases the latch 63 from the locking bar 52 and operates the yoke lever 51 to shift the clutch sleeve from the clutch member 14 to the clutchmember 13. When the sleeve has engaged with the clutch 'member 13, the shaft 11 is, of course, connected in driven engagement with the power shaft 3, and at this time the notch 56 in the locking bar 52 is brought into register with the pin 58, so that the latter may move through the notch 56, while the pin 59 on the clutch member-14 is at thistime in contact withthe bar 52, so that the shaft 12and its clutch cannot accidentally turn. At the same time the bar 52 being shifted to the left, the notch 61 at the end thereof is brought into position to receivethe latch 63, and the conductor grasping the handle 64 throws this latch into locking position with thenotch 61. The opera tionv of opening and closing thedoor then takes place as before,

Should it be desired to maintain both doors in closed position, the locking bar is unlatched by throwing the latch upward and the sleeve clutch 8 is shifted tothe neutral position shown in Fig.4,so that both the shaft members 11 and 12 are disconnected from driven engagementwith the power shaft 3, and in this condition, as no'power can be imparted to either part or memberof the operating shaft, the doors will remain closed and locked.

While I have herein shown and described one particular embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do notcon fine myself to all the precise detailsof construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as modification and variation, may be'made without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims. I

What I claim is p r 1. The combinationwith a door andi1a folding step, of mechanism for openingthe door and unfolding the step and closing the door and folding the step, said mechanism including a driving sprocket, a' driven sprocket, a chain traveling over said sprockets, a connection between the door and the and the steps, an operating shaft connected with the driving sprocket, a power shaft, and power transmission means between the power shaft and the operating shaft. r

3. The combination with a door and a folding step, of mechanism for opening the door and unfolding the step and closing the door and folding the step, saidmechanism including a driving sprocket and a driv'en sprocket, a'chain traveling over the sprockets, a connection between the door and the chain, means connectingone of said sprockets and the step, an operating shaft connected withthe driving sprocket, a power shaft, a sprocket for the power shaft, a sprocket connected with the operating shaft,

an endless chain travelin 'over the last two I sprockets, and means for actuating the power shaft.-

' 4:. The combination with a, door and a foldlng step, of mechanism for "opening the door and unfolding the step and closing the door and folding the step, said mechanism including a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket, a chain traveling over said sprockets, a connection between the door and the ran-ps3 'chain, step operating means interposed between one of the sprockets and the step and including a chain and sprocket deviceand a flexible connection between the chain and sprocket device and the step, and means under control'of the operator for imparting motion to the driving sprocket.

' 5. The combination with a door and a foldin'gstep, of mechanism for opening the crank sprocket, a rock shaft for the step,

means connecting the rock shaft with the crank sprocket, a power shaft, and power transmission means between the power shaft and the operating shaft.

6. The combination with a door and a movable step, of mechanism for operating the door and moving the step simultaneously, said mechanism including a power shaft, chain and sprocket mechanism actuated from the power shaft and connected with the door, and connections between the chain and sprocket mechanism and the step.

7. The combination with a car having two separate doorways and a door and a folding step for each doorway, of a power shaft, a

set of power transmission devices for each door interposed between thepower shaft and the doors, power connections between the transmission devices and the doors and therespective, steps whereby upon the opening of a door the step adjacent thereto will be lowered, and upon the closing of the door such step will be raised, and aclutch device adapted to be operated to place the power shaft indriving relation with the power transmission device of one door and out of driving relation with the power transmission device of the other door'whereby one door may be, moved into its open or closed position while the other door remains in closed position. e

8. The combination with a car having two separate doorways and a door and a folding step for each doorway, of a power shaft, a set of power transmission devices for each door interposed between the power shaft and the doors, power connections between the transmission devices of the doors and the respective steps thereof whereby upon the openlng of a door the step adjacent thereto will be lowered and upon the closing of such door the step will be raised, a clutch device adapted to be operated to place the power shaft in driving relation with the power transmission devices of one door and out of driving relation with the power transmission devices of the other door, whereby one door may be moved into its open or closed position, while the other door remains in closed position, and a locking device operable with the clutch device to lock the closed door against movement.

9. The combination with a car having two separate doorways and a door and a folding step for each doorway, of a power shaft, a divided operating shaft, a set of power transmission devices for one door interposed between. one section of the operating shaft and the door, a set of power transmission devices for the other door interposed between another section of the operating shaft and the door, power connections between the power transmission devices of the doors and the respective steps of the doors, a clutch device, a driving connection between the clutch device and the power shaft, and means for operating the clutch device to connect and disconnect the sections of the operating shaft with and from the power shaft.

10. The combination with a car having two separate doorways, and a door and a fold ing step for each doorway, of a power shaft, a divided operating shaft, a set of power transmission devices for one door interposed between one section of the operating shaft and the door, a set of power transmission devices for the other door interposed between another section of the shaft and the other door, power connections between the power transmission devices of the door and the respective steps, a clutch device, a driving connection between the clutch device and the power shaft, means for operating the clutch device to connect and disconnect the sections of the operating shaft with and from the power shaft, and a locking device cooperating with the clutch device to lock the doors against movement.

11. The combination with a pair of mutually operating doors and a folding step, of mechanism for opening the doors and unfolding the step and closing the doors and folding the step, said mechanism including a double driving sprocket, a driven sprocket located adjacent each door, a pair of oppositely extending chains connecting the double driving sprocket with the driven sprockets, a connection between'each door and the chain adjacent thereto, whereby when the chains are traveling the doors will simultaneously move in opposite directions, a third sprocket connected in driven relation with one of the first mentioned sprockets, a crank sprocket, a drive chain connecting the third sprocket with the crank sprocket, a rock shaft for the step, a crank connection between the rock shaft and the crank sprocket, and means for actuating the operating shaft.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

ALPHONSO TAURMAN. Witnesses:

RICHARD B. GAVANAGH, MABEL E. HARTLEY.

' Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G, 

